I've been looking for a cheap alternative to a Yakima or a Thule roof basket for a while now. I previously owned a Yakima MegaWarrior which can be had for around $400. I eventually sold mine because I needed to recoup some of the money and because I hated the way it looked. Something about it just doesn't look right on an XJ.

This is not my XJ, just one I found on Google Image Search:



Anyway, the curves don't flow with the overall shape of the XJ. It looks big and bulky. I wanted something a little more minimalist so I started researching. Turns out that was hard to find. I thought about building one, but I'm good with woodworking, not metalworking.

Anyway, I eventually came across this blog post about a photographer who built a platform on his Tacoma with wire pallet shelving. http://www.wildernessshots.com/diy-p...rack-platform/






Total cost to him? $5 (He was lucky enough to find a used one at a ReSource store.) These things were made to hold pallets full of goods so they're made to withstand a lot of weight. The one he found was rated for 1,400 pounds. The one I just purchased was rated for 3,000 lbs.

I know, what about edges, to keep things from falling off? Well there's also this thread on a Tundra forum where a guy took pallet shelving and put edges on fairly easily by fipping it upside down (the shelves come with a waterfall lip on 2 edges.) and adding bolt on sides to the 2 others.




I ordered mine over the weekend off Amazon. The size was perfect. I'll paint it this week, mount it and post pics as soon as I get it done. I'm not sure which way I'll mount it, with edges up or not. Anything I choose to carry up top will be secured with plenty of straps anyway.

 

Subscribed! Want to see how your's turns out. I just wishlisted mine on amazon, waiting for that next check!

 

I can't wait to see how this turns out. It could be the perfect stopgap solution until I'm able to tig weld the aluminum roof rack I really want.

 

Grabbed some bedliner that was laying around and attached it to the top with some extra Yakima hardware I had laying around. It's connected to the bars in 6 places. 2 from the faring, and 4 extra fasteners. I'll take some more tomorrow from a little farther away.

If it holds up half as well as it looks I'll be very happy.